Electronic cigarette

ABSTRACT

An electronic cigarette is disclosed, which includes a housing, an atomizer assembly and a liquid reservoir. The housing defines an air intake on one end thereof and an air outlet on the other end thereof, the housing is hollow. The atomizer assembly received in the housing, which includes a support and a flexible heating element, the support is provided with a chimney connected to the air intake and the air outlet therein, the support defines a through hole communicated with the chimney thereon, the flexible heating element includes a body portion and an arm portion connected to the body portion, the body portion extends through the through hole and located in the chimney. The liquid reservoir surrounds an outer surface of the support; the arm portion is extended inside the liquid reservoir.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to an electronic cigarette.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The electronic cigarette is also known as a virtual cigarette or an electronic atomizer. As a replacement for cigarette, the electronic cigarette is usually used for smoking cessation. The appearance and taste of electronic cigarette are similar to that of the conventional cigarette, while it does not contain tar, suspended particles and other harmful ingredients as the conventional cigarette.

The electronic cigarette is mainly composed of an atomizer and a battery assembly. The atomizer is the core device of the electronic cigarette to generate atomizing gas; the quality and taste of the smoke are depended on the atomization effect. However, a conventional heating element does not provide consistent heating effect. As such, the atomization effect of an atomizer with a conventional heating element is often poor.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

The present disclosure is directed to an electronic cigarette having a better atomization effect.

An electronic cigarette includes a housing defining an air intake on one end thereof and an air outlet on the other end thereof, the housing is hollow.

An atomizer assembly is further provided, which is received in the housing. The atomizer assembly includes a support and a flexible heating element. The support is provided with a chimney connected to the air intake and the air outlet, the support also defines a through hole communicated with the chimney thereon. The flexible heating element includes a body portion and an arm portion connected to the body portion. The body portion extends through the through hole and located in the chimney.

A liquid reservoir is further provided, which surrounds an outer surface of the support. The arm portion is extended inside the liquid reservoir.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purpose of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the views.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an electronic cigarette according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the electronic cigarette shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the atomizer assembly shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the flexible heating element shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the flexible heating element according to another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Illustrative embodiments of the disclosure are below. The following explanation provides specific details for a thorough understanding of and enabling description for these embodiments. One skilled in the art will understand that the disclosure may be practiced without such details. In other instances, well-known structures and functions have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the embodiments.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to.” Words using the singular or plural number also include the plural or singular number respectively. Additionally, the words “herein,” “above,” “below” and words of similar import, when used in this application, shall refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application. When the claims use the word “or” in reference to a list of two or more items, that word covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list and any combination of the items in the list.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a first embodiment of an electronic cigarette 100 includes a housing 110, a liquid reservoir 120, an atomizer assembly 130, and a power supply assembly 140. The liquid reservoir 120, the atomizer assembly 130, and the power supply assembly 140 are received in the housing 110. The power supply assembly 140 is used to supply power to the atomizer assembly 130.

The housing 110 is approximately shaped as a cylinder and it is hollow, i.e. the cross-section of the housing 110 is round. The housing 110 forms a cavity 111 for receiving various internal components of the electronic cigarette 100. The housing 110 is made of plastic. In alternative embodiments, the housing 110 may have a shape of a rectangular cylinder, oval cylinder and so on. The housing 110 defines an air outlet 112 on an end thereof and an air intake 114 on the other end thereof. In alternative embodiment, the housing 110 is provided with a filter nozzle (not shown) close to the end of the air outlet 112 for filtering nicotine and other chemical substances in the smoke.

The liquid reservoir 120 is received in the housing 110, which surrounds an outer surface of the atomizer assembly 130. The liquid reservoir 120 has a liquid storage medium 122 for storing liquid. The liquid storage medium 122 is in contact with a heating element of the atomizer assembly 130; accordingly, the liquid stored in the liquid reservoir 120 can be absorbed by the atomizer assembly 130. In the illustrated embodiment, the liquid reservoir 120 is cylindrical, which forms a cavity for receiving atomizer assembly 130. The liquid storage medium 122 is made of fibers, foams, sponges, foamed ceramics, soft rubbers, or silicon resin and other materials with a great capacity of absorbing liquid, the shape of the liquid reservoir 120 can be changed as needed, during the assembly process, the liquid reservoir 120 can be sufficiently in contact with the surface of the heating element of the atomizer assembly 130 by an external force of extruding or the like. According to capillary principle, the liquid stored in the liquid reservoir 120 can be absorbed by the heating element of the atomizer assembly 130 capable of absorbing liquid.

The atomizer assembly 130 is received in the housing 110. The atomizer assembly 130 includes a support 132 and a flexible heating element 134. The flexible heating element 134 is fixed on the support 132.

The support 132 is hollow-cylindrically shaped. The support 132 is provided with a chimney 136 connected to the air intake 114 and the air outlet 112 on the two ends of the housing 110 in the interior of the support 132, which is used for air-circulating. The support 132 defines a through hole 138 communicated with the chimney 136. In the illustrated embodiment, the support 132 is a cylindrical and it is hollow. The support 132 defines two through holes 138 opposite to each other allowing the flexible heating element 134 to extend through, the support 132 is used to support and fix the flexible heating element 134. The shape of the through hole 138 is the same as the shape of the cross section of the flexible heating element 134. The diameter of the through hole 138 is slightly greater than the diameter of the cross section of the flexible heating element 134, thus the flexible heating element 134 can extend through the through hole 138. In the illustrated embodiment, the through hole 138 is round in shape. Alternatively, the through hole 138 is triangular or square and the like in shape. More than one through holes 138 can be provided. Further, referring to FIG. 3, the support 132 defines a plurality of relatively small air holes 139 to assist the chimney 136 for the atomizing air circulating, and the air circulation is enhanced. The support 132 is made of heat resisting plastic, or the metals which are inexpensive and easy to process.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, in the illustrated embodiment, the flexible heating element 134 includes a body portion 1342 and an arm portion 1344 connected to the body portion 1342. The shape of the cross section of the body portion 1342 is the same as that of the arm portion 1344. The body portion 1342 extends through the through hole 138 and located in the chimney 136. The through hole 138 is communicated with the chimney 136, and the body portion 1342 is horizontally located in the chimney 136. Since the joint of the body portion 1342 and the arm portion 1344 is bended to form an arc, the flexible heating element 134 is fixed on the support 132. The arm portion 1344 is extended inside the liquid reservoir 120 to sufficiently contact with the liquid reservoir 120. In the illustrated embodiment, two arm portions 1344 are provided, and the two arm portions 1344 are connected to the two ends of the body portion 1342, respectively, i.e. the flexible heating element 134 has an approximately U-shaped cross-section. The length of the arm portion 1344 is greater than or equal to 0.5 mm. In the suitable range, the longer the length of the arm portion 1344, the greater the surface area contacted with the liquid reservoir 120, i.e. the greater the area of absorbing liquid. The cross sectional area of the flexible heating element 134 is 0.5 mm² to 3 mm². In the suitable range, the greater the cross sectional area of the flexible heating element 134, the greater the surface area of arm portion 1344, i.e. the greater the area of absorbing liquid, and the greater the heating area of the flexible heating element 134; the efficiency of the atomization can be improved. Alternatively, referring to FIG. 5, only one arm portion 1344 is provided, and only one through hole 138 is defined, the flexible heating element 134 has an approximately L-shaped cross-section. Alternatively, more than one arm portions 1344 can be provided, such as four arm portions 1344 can be provided, the flexible heating element 134 has an approximately two crossed U-shaped cross-section. Further, the air can pass through the flexible heating element 134 due to its air circulation; it is benefit for smoke circulation. In one embodiment, the flexible heating element 134 is a carbon fiber rod. The carbon fiber rod has prominent capacity of absorbing liquid and great conductivity, and it is heating-resistant, corrosion-resistant, soft, and easy to process. Alternatively, the flexible heating element 134 is a mixed woven body composed of flexible heating strips and heating resistant fibers. The mixed woven body is a porous structure with a capacity of air-circulating. The flexible heating strips are metal wires or carbon fibers and other conductive fibers, as long as it can be woven. The heating resistant fibers can be heating resistant natural fibers, glass fibers or carbon fibers. The flexible heating strips are mixed with the heating resistant fibers to form a tube with greater surface area. The capacity of absorbing liquid of the heating resistant fibers is excellent, and the flexible heating strips are sufficiently in contact with the heating resistant fibers, such that the heating area is great. Alternatively, the flexible heating element 134 can be made of other flexible material.

The liquid stored in the liquid reservoir 120 can be absorbed and atomized by the foregoing flexible heating element 134, its structure is simple, and its assembly process is also simple. Since the flexibility of the flexible heating element 134 is remarkable, it can be easily fabricated to adapt to the shape of the product as needed, and the resistance of the flexible heating element 134 is easy to be controlled, the resistance is less susceptible to the temperature, the resistance is stable, the consistency and the atomization are excellent. Since there is no need to twine a heating wire around a fixed axis, the fabrication process is simplified and the cost is saved.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the power supply assembly 140 is electrically connected to the flexible heating element 134 to supply power to the flexible heating element 134. In the illustrated embodiment, the power supply assembly 140 further includes an electrode 142, a wire 144, an electrode support 146, and battery (not shown). The electrode 142 is connected to the flexible heating element 134 by the wire 144. The electrode 142 is fixed to the electrode support 146, the electrode support 146 defines a pore 148 for air-circulate. Alternatively, the electrode support 146 can be omitted.

The assembly process of the electronic cigarette 100 is described as follows: first of all, the liquid reservoir 120 is fixed in the cavity of the housing 110, and the flexible heating element 134 is connected to the electrode 142 of the power supply assembly 140 by the wire 144, then the electrode 142 is inserted into the electrode support 146, finally, the housing 110 is sleeved to the electrode support 146 and the process is finished. It should be understood that the assembly sequence can be adjusted as needed.

In use, as the arrows shown in the FIG. 1, when the user inhales the electronic cigarette 100 on the end of the air outlet 112, the airflow enters the electronic cigarette 100 from the air intake 114, then passes through the pore 148 of the electrode support 146, and carries the atomized liquid to the chimney 122, and finally enters the mouth of the user by passing through the air outlet 112.

In the foregoing electronic cigarette 100, the flexible heating element 134 is capable of absorbing liquid and atomizing liquid. The resistance of the flexible heating element 134 is relatively stable, which is less susceptible to the temperature. The support 132 is not necessary to be made of fiber, the power generated by the fiber is avoided, accordingly, the atomization effect is excellent, the fabrication process is simplified and the cost is saved, it is more suitable for industrial production.

Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features described above. Rather, the specific features described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims. Numerous modifications and alternative arrangements can be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the described technology. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic cigarette, comprising: a housing defining an air intake on one end thereof and an air outlet on the other end thereof, the housing being hollow; an atomizer assembly received in the housing, wherein the atomizer assembly comprises a support and a flexible heating element, the support is provided with a chimney interconnected to the air intake and the air outlet, the support defines a through hole communicated with the chimney, the flexible heating element comprises a body portion and an arm portion connected to the body portion, the body portion extends through the through hole and is located in the chimney; and a liquid reservoir surrounded an outer surface of the support, the arm portion is extended inside the liquid reservoir.
 2. The electronic cigarette according to claim 1, wherein the liquid reservoir comprises a liquid storage medium.
 3. The electronic cigarette according to claim 1, wherein the number of the arm portion is two, the two arm portions are located on opposed ends of the body portion, respectively.
 4. The electronic cigarette according to claim 3, wherein the flexible heating element has a U-shaped cross-section.
 5. The electronic cigarette according to claim 1, wherein a cross-sectional area of the flexible heating element is 0.5 mm² to 3 mm².
 6. The electronic cigarette according to claim 1, wherein the flexible heating element is a carbon fiber rod.
 7. The electronic cigarette according to claim 1, wherein the flexible heating element is a mixed woven body composed of flexible heating strips and heating resistant fibers.
 8. The electronic cigarette according to claim 7, wherein the flexible heating strips are metal wires or conductive fibers, the heating resistant fibers are selected from the group consisted of glass fibers, and carbon fibers.
 9. The electronic cigarette according to claim 1, wherein the support defines a plurality of air holes.
 10. The electronic cigarette according to claim 1, furthering comprising a power supply assembly, wherein the power supply assembly comprises an electrode, a wire, and an electrode support, the electrode is connected to the arm portion by the wire, the electrode is fixed to the electrode support, the electrode support defines a pore, the airflow enters from the air intake, and goes out from the air outlet by passing through the pore and the chimney. 